The Chicago Bears and the rest of the NFL have been partnering with USAA for the past 11 years to help benefit active service members of the United States military and veterans. This partnership has resulted in the annual Salute to Service regular season games every November.
It also has resulted in NFL teams providing service members with incredible one-in-a-lifetime experiences. On Thursday, the Chicago Bears hosted active military members for their second annual NFL Combine experience.
Men and women from the United States Army, Marines, Space Force, and Navy were invited to take in practice during training camp, meet the players, and participate in NFL Combine drills.
Shawn Isaacson, who served in the Marines for 30 years and now works for USAA, was asked how the Bears players react to having the veterans present at camp. He said, “You know, these men and women meet the players and are excited because they’re meeting their heroes. But in a lot of ways, the players feel like they are meeting their heroes.”
USAA Brought Active Service Members to Chicago Baers Training Camp
100 Men and women from the United States Army, Marines, and Navy were invited to take in practice during training camp, meet the players, and participate in NFL Combine drills.
Per the USAA, “During this once-in-a-lifetime experience at Bears training camp, after being treated to a VIP viewing experience of Bears practice, local service members had the chance to meet star players who thanked them for their service, signed autographs and took pictures.”
All 100 service members are stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station near the Bears’ training complex.
“The day of military appreciation concluded with a “Boot Camp” competition at the Bears indoor training facility.
“Participants were split up into teams and had the chance compete in drills similar to those used by NFL coaches to evaluate NFL talent, including: the 40-yard dash, broad jump, three-cone shuttle, receiving gauntlet, and the QB arm challenge.
“The team with the best cumulative score of the combined training drills were awarded with tickets to the Bears Salute to Service game in November, where they will be recognized courtesy of USAA, Official Salute to Service Partner of the Chicago Bears.”
The Chicago Bears and USAA Arranged for One Soldier to Have His Re-Enlistment Ceremony at Midfield
Keenan Moten, a life-long Bears fan, had decided to re-enlist in the United States army. USAA arranged for his re-enlistment ceremony to take place at midfield of the indoor training facility prior to the NFL Combine competition.
“It just means everything, super cool,” Moten said. “I mean, I grew up watching Brian Urlacher and everything, so this was definitely a cool experience.”
After his ceremoney, Moten joined other service members who observed the competition.
The fastest 40-yard dash time by an individual during the competition was a 4.72. One of the USAA coaches, who travels from training camp to training camp to help out with similar events, said a solider in Seattle ran a 4.2 two days ago.
Later this year, Bears players will be invited to the naval base to participate in the drills the military members do during basic training.
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